On Monday, Japan will dispatch a vice foreign minister to the Solomon Islands, citing concerns that a recent security deal signed by the South Pacific island with China might strengthen Beijing's military clout in the region. 

        Vice Foreign Minister Kentaro Uesugi's three-day travel to the Solomon Islands follows a visit by a senior US team, which warned that if the security arrangement with China poses a danger to US or ally interests, Washington might take unspecified action against the South Pacific island.

        The security deal, which was approved last week by China and the Solomon Islands, has frightened neighboring countries and Western allies, particularly Japan, who are concerned about a military buildup in the region.

        "We believe the agreement will have an impact on the security of the whole Asia-Pacific region, and we are closely monitoring the situation," Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Friday. Uesugi is scheduled to raise Japan's concerns over the security accord and address bilateral and regional matters during his visit to the Solomon Islands.

        In some of the world's busiest water routes, Japan regards China's increasingly aggressive military operations in the East and South China seas as a danger. Japan is particularly worried by Chinese military and coast guard action near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which China also claims and refers to as Diaoyu.

        In recent years, Tokyo has greatly increased security cooperation and joint drills with the US and other Western partners, including Australia, India, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, all of which share Tokyo's concerns about China's expanding influence.